Nicosia Civic Centre is the result of an urban research project and master planning process which explored design as a tool for the reintegration of this fragmented city. Divided in the aftermath of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus (1974) Nicosia has since strugled to regain its identity as a unique and historically preserved walled city.

Aiming to dampen social tensions, the master plan proposals strategized a phased integration process which focuses around shared community zones and the provision of mutually distributed urban infrastructure. The result would redefine what is currently ‘no mans land’ into a shared city core, responsive to both modern requirements and the historical traditions of place.

Located at the heart of the strategy is the defining catalyst project of the integration process, Nicosia Civic Centre. Occupying neutral land this project links north and south through provision of versatile public spaces.

Architecturally the centre owes much to the city’s vernacular heritage, utilising an array of vaulted buildings within a strict grid to provide definition and flow to the open courtyard concept.

This body of work was a personal project completed as part of the post graduate course at The University of Huddersfield, 2010 - 2012.